2010 nissan pathfinder Model Overview

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Originally introduced in 1986 as a two-door body-on-frame sport/utility vehicle, the Nissan Pathfinder has evolved over the years, adding a four-door version late during the first generation, switching to a unibody design and dropping the two-door model for the second generation, and returning to a body-on-frame setup for the third generation.

Now six years into gen three, the Pathfinder is on the eve of an all-new replacement. Given the segment’s inclination towards unibody design, which fundamentally provides better ride and handling, the next Pathfinder will most likely ditch its truck roots in favor of a unibody’s more carlike dynamics. Until then, Nissan is offering its capable, truck-based Pathfinder with V-6 or V-8 power, seven-passenger seating, and rear- or all-wheel drive.

The Pathfinder shares platform pieces with the Titan pickup truck and Armada and Xterra sporty/utility vehicles, but boasts an independent rear suspension for better dynamics. A 5.6-liter V-8 borrowed from the Armada and Titan is available. Both the Pathfinder’s second- and third-row seats fold flat, enlarging cargo capacity to a respectable 79.2 cubic feet.

For 2010, the Pathfinder LE receives a standard moonroof and the LE-V8 gets standard navigation. Opt for the new LE-V8 Value Package and get a DVD player with seven-inch color monitor for backseat riders. A fresh Premium Journey Package for the SE includes 17-inch alloys, backup camera, roof rack crossbars, 10-speaker Bose audio, XM satellite radio, Bluetooth phone capability, and intelligent key.

Pathfinder’s signatures design cues are evident in the large headlamps, big flared fenders, and high-mounted rear door handles integrated into the C-pillars. Wheel sizes range from 16 to 18 inches, with all sizes nicely accentuating the 112.2-inch wheelba

With standard seven-passenger seating and up to 79.2 cubic feet of cargo, the Pathfinder pampers further with available leather-trimmed seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation with 9.3GB music hard drive, Bluetooth phone capability, and backup camera.

The Pathfinder’s standard engine continues to be a 4.0-liter VQ-series V-6 that delivers 266 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque. If that’s not enough oomph, an available 5.6-liter V-8 generates 310 horsepower and 388 pound-feet. Each engine is mated to a five-speed automatic. While all Pathfinders use a front control-arm/rear multi-link suspension, V-6 models can tow up to 6000 pounds, the V-8, 7000.

Nissan equips every Pathfinder with front, front-side, and side curtain airbags, the last for outboard occupants in all three rows. The Pathfinder also gets front-seat active head restraints, stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Recalls

Recall ID#10V115000 - STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THE FASTENERS COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN POSITIONING BRACKET INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

NISSAN HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010 TO MARCH 13, 2010. ON SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE FASTENERS SECURING THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, AND ALSO THE FASTENERS SECURING THE STEERING SHAFT POSITIONING BRACKET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG FASTENERS AND ANY MISSING FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL LOOSE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Units Affected

4038

Recall ID#10E019000 - SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Consequence

IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Units Affected

1873

Recall ID#10V115000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THE FASTENERS COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN POSITIONING BRACKET INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

NISSAN HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010 TO MARCH 13, 2010. ON SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE FASTENERS SECURING THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, AND ALSO THE FASTENERS SECURING THE STEERING SHAFT POSITIONING BRACKET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG FASTENERS AND ANY MISSING FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL LOOSE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Units Affected

4038

Recall ID#10V208000 - SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Consequence

IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, QX56, FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2010. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

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